Match Report: Sunderland 0 - 2 Liverpool

Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez fired Liverpool to victory at Sunderland as the Reds made amends for their beachball disaster on Wearside last season.

Kuyt set the visitors on their way with 33 minutes gone when he converted a hotly-disputed penalty, and Suarez completed the job with 13 minutes remaining.

But the Black Cats trudged off the pitch on the final whistle hugely aggrieved at the penalty decision with defender John Mensah, who was later shown a straight red card for a professional foul on Suarez, appearing to trip Jay Spearing outside the box.

However, while they may have had reason to feel hard done by, Steve Bruce's men were rarely a threat despite enjoying the greater share of possession, and Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina did not have a save worthy of note to make until he plucked substitute Lee Cattermole's long-range effort out of the air four minutes from time.

Liverpool were much more effective despite £35million man Andy Carroll enduring a quiet afternoon on his league debut for the club, and home goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had to pull off good saves from Kuyt, Suarez and Spearing to keep the scoreline respectable in front of a sell-out crowd of 47,207.

Sunderland went into the game having ended a run of four consecutive league defeats with a hard-earned point at Arsenal a fortnight ago, and with Danny Welbeck back in the starting line-up and skipper Cattermole on the bench after injury, there was genuine optimism on Wearside for a repeat of last season's victory over the Reds.

That day, of course, they enjoyed the most outrageous slice of good fortune when Darren Bent's shot found its way into the back of the net with the help of a deflection off a beachball.

This time around, they had plenty of luck, but all of it bad.

By the time 22 minutes had elapsed, Bruce had been forced to use two of his three substitutes as first Sulley Muntari and then Kieran Richardson limped off.

To their credit, the home side was not unduly affected as Cattermole, playing for the first time since December 28, and Steed Malbranque were drafted in and Stephane Sessegnon and Welbeck were particularly lively.

However, despite enjoying the better of the possession, the Black Cats created little of note before the break with Welbeck's 17th-minute cross from the left which just eluded Richardson as close as they came to troubling Reina.

By contrast, the visitors struggled to get the ball anywhere near Carroll and Suarez, the latter of whom spent much of his time wide on the right, where he was largely effectively shackled by full-back Phil Bardsley.

However, it was they who created the better opportunities with Kuyt the main beneficiary.

Keeper Simon Mignolet bravely blocked the Dutchman's fifth-minute shot at point-blank range after Carroll had headed down Raul Meireles' corner, and Kuyt headed over from the resulting set-piece.

It was he who eventually broke the deadlock, but he did so in controversial circumstances.

Mensah's poor control allowed Spearing to burst towards the penalty area, and the Ghana international brought him down in his efforts to make amends.

Replays suggested the contact had taken place outside the area and referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot on the advice of his assistant.

Kuyt sent Mignolet the wrong way to give the visitors the lead, and it might have been 2-0 before the break had the Belgian not got down well to palm away Suarez's well-struck 37th-minute effort.

Malbranque miskicked when presented with a 48th-minute half-chance after Jordan Henderson had worked a short corner move with Anton Ferdinand as Sunderland started the second half brightly.

However, the game might have been over three minutes later had Cattermole not managed to block Carroll's header on the line with his knee after the striker had been allowed to meet a Meireles corner unmarked.

The same pair could have put the result beyond doubt with 54 minutes gone when, after Mr Friend had allowed play to continue when Titus Bramble felled the striker, the midfielder fired over the top.

There was fury inside the Stadium of Light when the official then awarded the free-kick, which Suarez curled just wide.

Substitute Ahmed Elmohamady saw a header and then a follow-up shot blocked from Jordan Henderson's 65th-minute corner, but the points were safe with 13 minutes when Suarez squeezed his way into the box and blasted past Mignolet from a seemingly impossible angle.

A bad day for the Wearsiders took a further turn for the worse with 81 minutes gone when last man Mensah hauled Suarez down and was promptly shown a straight red card.

Kenny Dalglish Encouraged By Partnership Of Suarez And Carroll

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has hailed striking duo Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll after the pair made their first start together at the club in the 2-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

With a combined fee nearing £60 million, the Uruguayan and former Newcastle man Carroll have earned the praise of their boss, who believes they have shown "encouraging signs" as a partnership.

Speaking following the victory over the Black Cats, which leaves the Reds in sixth place, four points behind Tottenham, the Scot couldn't contain his excitement over the pair's potential.

He said: “They showed encouraging signs. Andy played 90 on Thursday and 70 there, and Luis chipped in with a fantastic goal. The pair showed encouraging signs of what we can look forward to.

“They didn’t do too badly today. There is not a set time for partnerships. It either happens or it doesn’t.

“The lads linked up well at times. Suarez looks a good player and scored fantastic goals. We have a lot of enjoyable viewing to come from them. One is 5ft the other 6ft something, they compliment each other. People get carried away about Andy’s aerial asset, he is proficient on the floor too.

“The way all the players went about their job today was great credit to them and showed how much pride and respect they have for this football club and the people who support it."

The win on Wearside signalled 20 league points won out of a possible 30 for Dalglish since he replaced Roy Hodgson at the Anfield helm in January, and the Kop legend has insisted that it is the players, not him, who deserve the credit.

“It is OK, but it would be better if it was 30 points I suppose! You don’t get everything you want. The response from the players is fantastic and they have talent and ability and allied that to determination and they have got their reward for it. They deserve the credit," he said.

“With regards the job, I have seen I have asked for four years, well I don’t know who I am supposed to have asked. I have seen I was offered two, don’t know where that has come from.

“People ask if I have spoken to the owners and of course I have I speak to them regularly every week. It is their club, and they are fantastic owners, very supportive. There have been no detailed discussions about next season.

"Until there is something to be said there is nothing. For me that is not a problem. For me the club is most important, bar one instance when I left the club last time. There is no pressure on anyone.”

Lucas Thanks His Teammates

Lucas Leiva has thanked his Liverpool teammates after they dedicated Sunday's goal celebrations to his new son Pedro Lucas.

The Brazil international became a father for the first time this week when his wife Ariana gave birth in a Liverpool hospital.

And so after both goals during our 2-0 win in Sunderland the players joined him in a 'rock the baby' celebration which was made famous by Brazilian World Cup winners Bebeto, Romario and Mazinho during USA 1994.

Once the match had finished Lucas tweeted: "Great result and even better celebration thanks Dirk and Luis for the goals and all the team for the tribute."

Jamie Carragher Admits Liverpool Were Fortunate To Be Awarded Penalty In 2-0 Win Over Sunderland

Jamie Carragher has admitted that Liverpool were fortunate to be awarded a penalty at the Stadium of Light as Kenny Dalglish's beat Sunderland 2-0.

Referee Kevin Friend controversially reversed his decision of a free-kick to a penalty after talking with his linesman when Black Cats defender John Mensah fouled Jay Spearing. Dirk Kuyt scored the contentious spot-kick in the 34th minute changing the game after the Reds had begun the game slowly.

Carragher told Sky Sports: “I thought it was a penalty but then I found out at half-time, I don’t think it was, was it? It was just outside. That’s gone for us there, so we have to take that today, as they say it evens itself out. I’m sure Sunderland will be disappointed with that but it went our way there.

“Everyone knows that goals change games, I mean up to that point it was pretty even Sunderland were creating and were putting a little bit of pressure on.

“It was a pretty even game, every week we can look at different incidents and we can always say it changes the game, maybe I think that one has gone our way but thankfully we got the other one to make sure so you could say we still would have won 1-0.”

The veteran defender also praised the scorer of Liverpool’s second, Luis Suarez, who has settled into Kenny Dalglish’s side well after joining in January from Ajax for £23 million. He also admitted the Uruguayan’s presence was missed in their Europa League clash with Braga last Thursday.

Carragher added: “He’s a top player and he’s given everybody a lift. It was obviously disappointing to lose a player like Fernando but he’s gone to Chelsea now so we have to look at the players who’ve come in.

“I thought Andy Carroll was very unlucky not to score, I’d probably have preferred him to score as he needed to get off the mark, he (Suarez) had already scored. He’s a top player and I think we missed him in midweek in Europe, I think that showed but he’s a made a difference today."

Liverpool Eye Europe's Most Wanted Starlet

Dutch giants Ajax have signalled their intention to keep hold of young Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen despite reported interest from Premier League side Liverpool.

The 19-year-old playmaker, who starred for his homeland in their recent defeat to England, has been a consistent and impressive figure in the heart of the midfield at the Amsterdam Arena with scouts from across Europe checking his development.

It is believed that Kenny Dalglish has identified the Odense protégé as a possible summer target with the Scottish tactician eager to add a youthful flourish to his reshaped Anfield outfit.

Nevertheless, aware of the interest from England, Eriksen recently insisted that he was happy to stay in Holland although could be tempted to quit Ajax if reigning La Liga champions Barcelona were to come calling.

Speaking to the Danish media recently, he stated:

"If I got an offer from Liverool right now, I believe I would reject it.

"Ajax is a good club for me at the moment and I believe it will be that for a couple of years.

"If I did move, it would have to be to FC Barcelona.”

Liverpool Ready To Outbid Spurs For Adam's Services

Kenny Dalglish is ready to outbid Tottenham for Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam this summer.

The Liverpool boss visited Blackburn on Saturday to see the midfielder score twice in a 2-2 draw.

Dalglish still feels Adam is the best long-term solution for the Reds’ lack of creativity – despite having a £9million offer rejected on transfer deadline day.

Spurs’ chief scout Ian Bloomfield was also at Ewood Park to watch Adam return from a two-game ban.

Tottenham Plot Move For Liverpool Star

Tottenham are hoping to lure Liverpool right back Glen Johnson to White Hart Lane this summer. White Hart Lane boss Harry Redknapp feels that the England international would help resolve what he considers a problem area on the right hand side of his defence.

Redknapp has used Alan Hutton and Vedran Corluka in the right back spot this season and has not been overly pleased with either’s contribution and has previously purchased Johnson when he was Portsmouth boss and knows the 26 year old well from his time at West Ham when he was advancing through he youth set up during his spell as Upton Park boss.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish may be amenable to a sale for the right price given the impressive form shown by youngster Martin Kelly which forced Johnson into an unaccustomed spot as left back but any sale would have to be for a fee similar to that which was spent to bring the former Pompey man to Anfield.

Rafa Benitez spent £17.5m for Johnson in the summer of 2009 and his career at the Merseyside club has had more downs than ups and he may well jump at a chance of a return to London. Tottenham are apparently willing to spend up to £12m for the attack minded full back but the North London side may also consider offering a player as part of any deal with the likes of Niko Kranjcar and Peter Crouch both recently linked with interest shown by Liverpool.

Fresh Developments In Liverpool Pursuit Of £26m Star

Reported Liverpool target Fábio Coentrão will be the subject of a summer bid from Chelsea, it has been claimed.

According to talkSPORT, Benfica are bracing themselves for bids for the versatile wideman when the transfer window reopens and Chelsea will be among the first clubs to make their move.

Along with Chelsea, the Portuguese is thought to have been on the radar of Liverpool for a number of months after Goal.com initially reported that they had shown interest in the 23-year-old.

Coentrão has since been quoted in the French press expressing his 'love' for Liverpool and caughtoffside.com suggested the Anfield club have 'earmarked' the Portugal international for a summer transfer.

Liverpool are currently short on recognized left-backs after the failure of Paul Konchesky to make a lasting impression at Anfield saw him loaned out to Nottingham Forest.

This would suggest that Liverpool will be in the market for reinforcements when the transfer window reopens, and Coentrão would be an exciting successor for the beleaguered Konchesky.

However, Liverpool are expected to have to spend big to land Coentrão, who has a buyout clause of £26 million written into his contract, which expires in 2016.

Liverpool, though, have demonstrated their financial clout under the ownership of New England Sports Ventures and are likely to provide stiff competition for Coentrão's other reported suitors.

Real Madrid, AC Milan and Bayern Munich are alleged to be prepared to battle with Liverpool and Chelsea for Coentrão's signature as a summer of heavy spending awaits.

Kenny Dalglish In No Hurry To Begin Contract Talks With Liverpool

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is happy to leave his contract talks until the time is right after guiding the club to another Premier League victory.

The Reds took their tally under the Scot to 20 points from ten league games with a 2-0 win at Sunderland which leaves them four points adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham.

They did so amid much speculation over Dalglish’s future but the Liverpool boss is relaxed, saying: ‘I have seen in the papers I have asked for four years. Well, I don’t know who I asked.

‘I saw I was offered two [years] – I don’t know who sent that in. Somebody said have I spoken to the owners – of course you speak to the owners, you speak to them regularly. 

But there have been no detailed discussions about next season. There is no pressure on anyone. I don’t have a problem if it is in the best interests of the football club.’

The case for Dalglish to be handed the job on a permanent basis was only strengthened at the Stadium of Light.

His men went ahead in controversial fashion in the 34th minute when John Mensah tripped Jay Spearing and referee Kevin Friend gave a free-kick but was persuaded by his assistant to award a penalty – despite replays suggesting contact was made outside the area.

Mensah, later dismissed for a professional foul on Luis Suarez, was booked before Dirk Kuyt calmly dispatched the penalty.

Suarez then secured victory with an effort from the tightest possible angle 13 minutes from time.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was upset about the penalty decision and said: ‘I knew and [fourth official] Martin Atkinson knew within five seconds it was outside the box with the technology we’ve got. Surely it has got to be time for those sort of things to be brought into play.’

Residents Demand Answers To Liverpool Stadium

Liverpool Football Club’s new owners, Fenway Sports Group, have been urged to announce any future stadium plans by local residents.

The community surrounding the iconic Anfield wants to know what the future holds for their neighbourhood as no official decision has been announced. Original plans for a new stadium were first revealed by the club’s previous owners but never materialized due to lack of available funding.

Ros Groves, chairman of the Anfield and Breckfield Physical Regeneration Group, told the BBC: "What I would like is if they could just come out and tell us what’s going on. We just need to be kept informed over and above by the media - we just need to be kept in the loop."

In December, Liverpool co-owner and chairman, Tom Werner said: "We're hard at it, we've had a lot of meetings and we are moving forward with various options. It's too early to go in one direction or another in terms of whether or not to build a new stadium or refurbish Anfield, but we are making progress."

As part of Liverpool’s growth – either whilst staying at Anfield or with a new stadium – the nearby area would be redeveloped, with money invested into the local community, transport links and facilities for residents. John Henry and Fenway Sports Group are still considering all stadium options, and have previously stated they will do what the fans want.

Match Preview: Sunderland vs Liverpool

Liverpool will be hoping there are no beach balls on the pitch when they visit the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

The last time they faced the Black Cats at the Wearside venue, the now departed Darren Bent's winning goal famously deflected into the net off such a piece of beach equipment.

But even if there aren't any beach balls, boss Kenny Dalglish knows there is a potential banana skin to avoid, given the Reds have lost all three of their Premier League away games directly following a Europa League matchday this season.

The Reds will be aiming to bounce back after crashing out of the European competition when failing to score against Braga at Anfield on Thursday night.

But, on the plus side, Dalglish's team have taken 17 points from their last eight Premier League matches - only Arsenal (18) have won more in this period.

But it will be tough against a Sunderland side who halted a four-match losing top flight run with a plucky goalless stalemate at Arsenal last time.

Boss Steve Bruce will be hoping the Black Cats have now stopped the rot as he seeks to win for the first time in four league and cup attempts at home following the 3-0 victory over Blackburn on New Year's Day.

Sunderland boss Bruce has been boosted by the returns of skipper Lee Cattermole. Nedum Onuoha and Bolo Zenden to the squad after injury.

Danny Welbeck returned from injury as a substitute against Arsenal last time and is pushing for a return to the starting line-up.

But others will miss out, with Bruce telling the club's official website: "It's still possibly too early for Fraizer Campbell and definitely too early for Michael Turner and David Meyler.

"We'll assess everything over the next 24 to 48 hours."

Keeper Craig Gordon should again be fit enough to make the bench, meaning Simon Mignolet, who performed heroics at the Emirates, will continue in goal.

Liverpool are likely to field their strongest front pair of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Owing to Carroll's recent injury problems, the duo have played just 15 minutes together - in the 3-1 win over Manchester United - since both arrived in January.

However, the England international made his first start for the club in their Europa League exit against Braga, for which Suarez was ineligible, and the former Newcastle striker is likely to retain his place with the Uruguayan returning to the line-up.

Defender Daniel Agger may be fit, having missed the last four matches with a knee injury, but the Reds will be without captain Steven Gerrard (groin), defenders Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio (both hamstring) and midfielder Jonjo Shelvey (knee).

Possible starting XIs:

Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Bramble, Mensah, Ferdinand, Muntari, Onuoha, Henderson, Richardson, Sessegnon, Gyan.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Wilson, Skrtel, Johnson, Rodriguez, Meireles, Lucas, Kuyt, Suarez, Carroll.

Suarez Cools Gyan Link

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has played down the hype surrounding his reunion with Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan on Sunday.

Uruguay international Suarez was sent off for a deliberate handball which prevented Ghana from progressing to the semi-finals of the World Cup last summer.

Gyan missed the subsequent penalty and the Africans suffered further misery from the spot as Uruguay advanced to the last four via a shootout.

Both stars of the World Cup, the pair have since transferred to England and will lock horns for their new clubs at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

The strikers are due to shake hands prior to kick-off, but Suarez insists his focus will be on the game and not one player.

"For me he will just be another player and someone playing for Sunderland," Suarez told the Daily Mail.

"It is not about us. It is a game between Sunderland and Liverpool and my focus will be on doing my best for my new team.

"I live for the present and the future. Not the past," he added.

Suarez scored 81 goals in 110 league games for Ajax before his £22.8million move to Anfield in January, becoming an instant hit with the fans following a lively start to his Liverpool career.

The 24-year-old was one of two big deadline-day buys for the Reds in a frantic transfer window which also saw Andy Carroll arrive in a £35million deal.

The two strikers have only briefly paired up, but Carroll's return to fitness could see Liverpool's new-look strike force see out the season together, although Suarez admits he is happy to play alongside anyone.

"Andy showed at Newcastle that he is a really good player and now I believe we can build a good partnership together," he said.

"All the strikers are good here and I am happy to play with any of them. But I think the strengths Andy and I have will complement each other well."

Suarez looks tailor-made for the Premier League on early showings and he suggests the competitive nature of England's top flight is more enjoyable than Holland's.

"It is more competitive," he said. "At Ajax, against some teams, you just knew you were going to win. Here the lower teams still beat the stronger teams.

"But for players like me it is more open, and I am enjoying it."

Long Ball Concerns Kenny

Kenny Dalglish admits Liverpool must alter their playing style if they are to bring the best out of striker Andy Carroll.

The £35million arrival from Newcastle has been effective in the air in his three appearances for the Reds but Dalglish feels his side has been too direct with Carroll in the side.

The Scot, in his second spell as manager of the club, insists Carroll is much more than just a target man and he plans to use his squad to play to the 22-year-old's strengths.

"Andy has tremendous assets which we have to learn to get the best out of and we have got assets that will help," said Dalglish.

"But he has to learn how we can get the best out of him. We have to fuse the two things together, play to his strengths but also play to ours and it will take a bit of time to get it working.

"The quicker they get gelling with each other the better it will be for everyone but I think the signs are very positive."

Carroll made his debut as a substitute in the 3-1 win over Manchester United earlier this month, followed by two appearances against Braga.

But Liverpool exited the Europa League with a whimper on Thursday night, failing to breach the Portuguese outfit over two legs and conceding in the first.

Dalglish admits his frustration at not building on the win over United and realizes he has a difficult task in restoring consistency at the club.

"It is frustrating when you can beat a team like Manchester United and then not get past Braga but I suppose every team has their frustrations," said the 60-year-old.

"Results are unpredictable for every club. For us we did beat Manchester United at Anfield but we never gloated or dwelt on it, we took the three points enjoyed the moment and then moved on.

"The two games since then we lost away to a penalty in Braga and we drew 0-0 here. We could have done with a bit of luck, especially at home, but that is the way football is.

"We have always tried to encourage and instruct and direct in the right way and I don't think we will change that.

"We have to make the minimum amount of mistakes as we can and the players have to as well and we will all work together and see where it takes us at the end of the day."

Leighton Baines 'Lined Up For Shock Everton To Liverpool Transfer'

The Reds have struggled at left-back all season and have made strengthening the position a top priority for the next transfer window.

It was thought Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish and director of football strategy Damien Comolli had settled on Newcastle United's Jose Enrique as their preferred choice, but it now seems they will be looking a bit closer to home.

According to the News of the World, their new target is Everton's Leighton Baines.

The 26-year-old England international has impressed with his attacking play and set-pieces this term, and has been credited with 11 assists in the Premier League.

Dalglish and Comolli are said to believe Baines can plug the gap defensively and also provide the crosses needed to get the best out of £35 million striker Andy Carroll.

Everton would be reluctant to sell one of their best players to their local rivals for fear of a backlash from fans, but the club's financial position means they may have to give serious consideration to a £10 million bid.

Liverpool Signings Will Get Wide Berth In Summer

Kenny Dalglish has decided Liverpool need to sign quality wide boys to bring out the best in £35million striker Andy Carroll.

That’s why the Liverpool boss is making the recruitment of Ashley Young from Aston Villa a top priority for the summer.

Young has declined the chance to extend his Villa contract and with just a year left on his current deal will be a prime transfer target this summer.

It may make commercial sense for Villa to sell their England star rather than lose him as a free agent next year.

If he does go, then Villa will look to Wolves’ Matt Jarvis as his replacement.

Manchester United is also trailing Young, but Dalglish is determined to seal the deal and pair him with a new full-back on the left flank.

Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique appears to be on course for a move to Anfield this summer.

The Spaniard has also turned down the chance to open talks over a new contract and his deal expires next year as well.

Enrique possesses the kind of pace and quality passing that Dalglish believes will help Carroll fulfil his potential.

Fabio To Monitor Carroll

Fabio Capello says he will wait until after the weekend's action before deciding whether to call up Andy Carroll for England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales.

Striking ace Carroll, who made his debut for his country against France at Wembley in November, is expected to start for Liverpool at Sunderland on Sunday after shrugging off injury problems which have hindered his chances of an immediate impact at Anfield.

England boss Capello watched the 22-year-old, a £35million signing on Merseyside from Newcastle in January, in action against Braga in the UEFA Europa League in midweek ahead of next Saturday's clash at the Millennium Stadium.

But Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has already suggested Carroll may not be fit enough to deal with an England run-out, and Capello says he is still undecided over the youngster.

"I went to Liverpool to monitor Andy Carroll. He has played just one game (since being fit)," said Capello.

"Will Carroll be okay for Wales? We need to wait until after the weekend games.

"He is fit but he needs to play games because the big players need more games to find the good form."

Capello says he will also monitor Manchester City winger Adam Johnson, who has been struggling with an ankle knock, against Chelsea on Sunday, adding: "I just read that Adam Johnson played 10 to 20 minutes on Thursday (against Dinamo Kiev).

"I don't know if it is too soon for him (to be selected). We will see how he goes on Sunday."

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has also impressed Capello and could come into the equation, certainly for the friendly with Ghana on March 29th.

He said: "Smalling is a very interesting player. I am monitoring him.

"I spoke with Sir Alex (Ferguson) and he told me he needs more games, more experience.

"But I think, when you play Champions League games, it is really important."

John W Henry Back To Watch Liverpool And Unveil His Anfield Plan

Liverpool owner John W Henry will watch his side at Sunderland before confirming his long-term ideas.

Henry has torn up his original plans and met interim manager Kenny Dalglish on Friday to discuss how his relationship with director of football strategy, Damien Comolli, could work if the Scot were to be appointed full-time.

Henry's presence at the Stadium of Light will be welcomed by Liverpool fans who have not seen much of him since he bought the club from Tom Hicks and George Gillett in October and who have grown impatient over the delay in talking to Dalglish about becoming permanent manager.

Today's game will be the first time Henry has seen a Liverpool match outside the city. His only previous away game was at Everton, where his team lost 2-0 under previous boss Roy Hodgson.

Shortly after their arrival at Anfield, Henry and his company, the Fenway Sports Group, appointed Comolli to be responsible for transfers, with a coach beneath him being entrusted with first-team affairs.

But Dalglish's arrival in January has lifted the club and Henry realizes he should be kept on, even though he will want input into player recruitment.

Pepe Reina Reluctant To Commit His Future To Liverpool

Pepe Reina has refused to pledge his allegiance to Liverpool, hinting that the Reds may not be competitive enough anymore.

The Merseyside outfit began the season poorly and at one stage even found themselves in the relegation zone, but they have since mounted a resurrection of sorts under manager Kenny Dalglish - and are now chasing fifth place, which would guarantee another run in the Europa League, from which they were eliminated in midweek.

But with fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur currently seven points ahead of Liverpool and only nine games remaining, the five-times European champions could miss out on playing in a continental competition next season.

"It’s not about being patient, it is about the club winning and I want to be competitive," said Reina, according to The Mirror.

"All I can do is train hard and do my best, but who knows what is going to happen here?

Reds Shine In Germany

A party of Liverpool supporters has been in Germany this weekend for their fifth 'friendship visit' to Moenchengladbach to once again consolidate and enhance a very special friendship that goes back over 30 years.

Fans of the Reds and Bundesliga club Borussia Moenchengladbach established strong links following the teams' meetings in European competition during the 1970s.

Since 1992, a group of Borussia fans have travelled to Anfield every winter to support Liverpool, meanwhile Kopites, led by organizer Graham Agg, have journeyed to Moenchengladbach annually since 2007.

In 1991 a delegation of Borussia supporters flew to Liverpool to present a cheque for 21,000 Deutsch Marks for the Hillsborough families, a gesture that has never been forgotten on Merseyside.

It is a friendship that has stood the test of time, and is absolutely unique in world football.

Liverpool FC Back Anti-Social Behaviour Blitz In West Derby

A blitz on anti-social behaviour has won backing from Liverpool FC.

The council’s latest Respect week will focus on Yew Tree ward, in West Derby, which includes the Reds’ Melwood training ground.

Club representatives will be meeting some of the agencies involved to show their support for the week.

The scheme, which starts on Monday, will tackle problems such as crime and anti-social behaviour and look at improving job opportunities, the environment and healthier lifestyles.

The week will be launched with a planting scheme in Ackers Hall Avenue.

Other highlights will include a lantern-making workshop for six to 12-year-olds at Mab Lane woodlands on Monday from 3pm to 6pm.

Cllr Ann O’Byrne, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Respect weeks are aimed at all parts of the community so it is great Liverpool FC are supporting it.

“But even if you are a Blue or have no interest in football then the week should still appeal to you. There is a whole range of activities taking place.”